Social Media and the Job Search…

It may seem obvious to most of you, and foreign to some- so that is why I must bring it to attention for all.  The importance of utilizing your social media networks as a primary job search tool.

Here are some best practices for using social media as a job search tool….

1.) Follow the companies you would like to work for.  Follow who they follow. Retweet, “Like”reply, and publish your own content that may relate to what they do as a company or the clients they serve. This can make you more interesting to them. Make them want to follow you!

2.) Check your social media feeds a few times a day, especially in the beginning of the week. Most jobs are posted on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Its important to keep up on all the news of select companies and organizations you might like to work for.   It will also save you time in your research for pre-interview preparation.

3.) Reply and apply as soon as possible. Most jobs are posted on social media networks at the same time that they are posted on company websites, but BEFORE they are posted to the job sites that serve the masses.  By following companies on social media sites, you have a unique opportunity to get really up to date information on job postings as it is published; as opposed to just happening to come across the job on a job website.

4.) Create your personal brand online. If you position yourself as an expert in your field and provid your own good content, you’ll attract followers and prove your stuff before you even have an interview. Make it part of your portfolio.

5. ) Manage and GUARD your personal brand online. Think before you post.  Social media can be your best friend or worst enemy for your reputation. Use it creatively, but use it wisely.  You know how they say Don’t drink and text? Yeah, Don’t drink and tweet.

For those of you who are just getting your feet wet with your twitter presence, I highly recommend reading Pistachio’s www.oneforty.com.  Laura Fitton (local Bostonian) has a social media consulting firm and also co authored Twitter For Dummies.  Its great, simple guidance for exploring your world on twitter, getting

I should add that online social networking is not to take the place of doing website job searching and in-person networking, but it is a necessary component to a job search strategy in this competitive job market and tough economy. But use job boards for finding postings, then think about who you know, or who you could get to know.  The following statistics speak for themselves:About 12% of jobs filled are jobs that were advertised online on job boards.  That leaves us wondering where people are finding and filling the other 88%. The answer? Company referrals and networking. So ease up on the Monster and use it as an one tool as opposed to the only tool.  Getting THE job takes alot more these days than uploading a resume onto a company website- it takes creative thinking,  networking, and strategy.  Remember, when you’re in a job search, you’re in sales for yourself, and youve got to have a solid plan for closing your deal.  Twitter can be a great way to get in touch with the people you want to meet in your career, and a great way to make your mark without a “middle-man” introduction.